Ted Lempert moves on; named president of Children Now Ted Lempert moves on; named president of Children Now (September 22, 2004)

A question has lingered as to what's next for education advocate and former legislator Ted Lempert after his loss to Assemblyman Joe Simitian in a tough battle to be the Democratic nominee for the state Senate seat of Byron Sher. That question has now been answered.

Mr. Lempert has been named president of Children Now, an Oakland-based nonprofit organization whose stated mission is raising the quality of life for children in areas such as health care, early education, after-school activities, and media impact and awareness.

"There is tremendous opportunity at Children Now that I find compelling and irresistible," Mr. Lempert said in a statement. "Building on the momentum of this dynamic and effective voice for children on both the California and national stages, I am anxious to help make this voice even stronger."

At EdVoice, the Sacramento-based education lobbying group Mr. Lempert founded in 2001, Christopher L. Cabaldon has been president since November 2003, when Mr. Lempert stepped down to focus on his Senate campaign, an EdVoice spokesperson said.

For four, two-year terms in two separate periods -- 1988-92 and 1996-2000 -- Mr. Lempert represented the 21st Assembly District, which includes much of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

During this time, he authored legislation that expanded the number of charter schools that could be started each year. Other education-related efforts included legislation to provide teacher incentives, to help gifted and talented students, and to make school buses safer.

Mr. Lempert, 43, a past member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, lives in San Carlos with his wife and three children.

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